Mt Buller ice conditions shaping up
JohnK reports... Lots of snow on the decent gully. As the online guide suggests high risk of snow slides here after fresh snow so be very careful. The waterfall main column was about 3/4m thick or so at its best section. The ramp/vertical section leading up to Main Column is good with good front pointing practice but no pro. The routes Wet Digit and Heat Arches are about ½m plus thick and climable. Gutter Snipe now has lots of snow and some ice to climb on. OK mixed gully climbing practice but not as much ice as last year.The Amphitheatre is in good condition with the first 5 meters providing nice ice up to and left of the small waterfall. The small waterfall here is very hollow and definitely not climbable safely but the ramp on the left and then all the way up is great with plenty of hard snow and ice to keep you front pointing all the way until you join the Upper Gully right on the top with a bit of exposure as well. Other areas are generally hard snow and thin ice over rock particularly the higher you get so plenty of opportunities to practice. Lets hope for better things yet later in July early August.